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| About Pandas | ||||
Page 1 of 2 Chinese Panda Breeding Centers Travel to China has become easier over the past few years with the addition of nonstop flights from the United States. Among the airlines providing service are Northwest, American, and United. United added service in April 2007 from Washington DC’s Dulles International Airport to Beijing’s Capital Airport. Service is available from the US to Shanghai as well. The closest international airport to the Chengdu and Wolong panda centers is Chengdu International Airport, which receives international flights from throughout Asia, but also has service from Amsterdam on KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
Once arriving in Beijing, it will be necessary to travel to Chengdu. No train service is available between the cities, and renting a car in China without a driver is almost impossible. That leaves flying as the main option. It is recommended that travelers purchase tickets to Chengdu after arriving in China to receive the lowest airfares. Tickets can be purchased at Air China’s ticket offices in Beijing, or the airport itself. Once in Chengdu, there are many western-style hotels that are available to travelers, including the budget chain Super 8. In a recent search on Super 8’s website, it was possible to obtain a rate of $28/night for a suite at their hotel in Chengdu, including breakfast every morning and free wireless internet! Among the other hotel chains in Chengdu are Marriott, Hilton, and Sheraton. The Chengdu Giant Pandas Breeding Center is just north of the city, close to the Zoo. It is accessible by city bus from the center of Chengdu. It is open from 8am to 6pm and the admission price is approximately $4. It is easier to spot a panda here than at the Wolong Nature Reserve, as all the pandas are kept in cages. It is usually possible to see panda cubs here as well. It is more complicated to visit the Wolong Nature Reserve to see the Giant Pandas there. It is necessary to take a guided tour from Chengdu or to take the one daily bus from Chengdu to the reserve. It is approximately 4.5 hours from Chengdu to Wolong. There are 2 hotels in Wolong that most tourists stay in. The Panda Inn is located directly next to the nature reserve entrance, and the Wolong Hotel is a bit farther away, but has nicer rooms than the Panda Inn. The Wolong Hotel features western-style toilets as well! The Wolong Nature Reserve is open from 8am-5pm, and closes for lunch. The admission price is $4. The Wolong Nature Reserve is open from 8am-5pm, and closes for lunch. The admission price is $4.
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